Zb 20 Proper Care and Maintenance of Water Turtles

Proper Care and Maintenance of

Water Turtles

by Philippe de Vosjoli

Zoo Med's Proper Care and Maintenance of

Water Turtles

by Philippe de Vosjoli

Table of Contents Introduction ............................……………………1 Selection .............................………………………1 Housing...........................…………………………5 Heating and Lighting ........................……………10 Feeding Water Turtles .......................……………12 Diseases and Disorders .........................…………13 Aquatic Turtle Setup Shopping List .....................16

Copyright ©2000-17 Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Introduction:

Water turtles are among the most popular animals kept as pets and are readily available through a variety of retail pet outlets. Unusual appearance, bright colors, elegant movements, and a high level of responsiveness all combine to make water turtles attractive to a wide range of prospective pet owners. In addition, most water turtles, if initially healthy, are hardy and with proper care will live for several decades.

Zoo Med Laboratories has developed this care booklet with the goal of informing novices of the basic requirements of water turtles, assuring their humane treatment and helping provide their owners with many years of enjoyment of these remarkable species. Because the primary role of Zoo Med Laboratories has been to develop high quality reptile products, we are able to recommend a wide range of supplies to meet all the needs of water turtles from lighting and heating to water filtration and diet.

Whether you are a new or experienced turtle keeper you will find the Proper Care of Water Turtles a valuable guide to the selection, housing and care of these popular reptiles.

Selection: BEFORE BUYING TURTLES

Before buying a turtle, read up on the size and requirements of various species. One of the most popular, colorful and responsive of the water turtles is the red-eared slider. However, this species grows large and will eventually require a sizeable aquarium or pool, a responsibility that must be considered prior to purchase. Painted turtles and map turtles, other species sold in some numbers in the pet trade grow almost as large as red-eared sliders and have similar enclosure requirements.

The smallest species of water turtles readily available in the trade are some of the musk and mud turtles and these are outstanding candidates for attractive aquarium displays. Snapping turtles and soft-shell turtles, species also readily available in the pet trade, are other impressive and nippy subjects for display Diamondback Terrapin

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which because of their large size will eventually require very large tanks or plastic pools.

WATER TURTLES ARE NOT GOOD PETS FOR SMALL CHILDREN

Water turtles may harbor salmonella and the conditions under which they are kept can result in environments with high bacterial levels. In addition many species as they grow larger may bite. For these reasons they are not recommended as pets for small children. With older children, at least eight years old, careful parental instruction and supervision will be required to assure that hygienic practices are enforced and that turtles are kept properly and not harmed. Turtles are not living toys and parents must make sure that they are treated humanely. Because water turtles do not enjoy being handled and may bite, they are not recommended as handling pets for children. Other reptilian pets such as captive-bred leopard geckos, blue tongue skinks and corn snakes are better choices for older children.

SELECTING A WATER TURTLE

As a prospective owner, particularly if you are buying an exotic species, your first responsibility should be to gather information on the species you are planning to buy. This means buying a larger book on turtle care and reading up on the species you are interested in keeping. If for some reason you do not have ready access to herpetocultural literature you can now find valuable information on a variety of reptiles by doing a search on the Internet.

The following is some general information that may help in your selection: P Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta): Painted turtles also rank among the most beautiful of the freshwater turtles. They are a medium sized turtle growing to about two thirds the length of red-eared sliders (five to seven inches, or 13 to 18 cm) and one or two adults will fare well in a 48 inch (122 cm) long tank. They make attractive displays and spend extended periods of time on basking sites.

S Soft shell turtle (family Trionychidae): Their rounded smooth, patterned diskPainted P i d turtle l like, leathery shell and their long snorkel like snout make these turtles very appealing to hobbyists. As babies they make outstanding displays. These turtles like to burrow in smooth sand (i.e. Reptisand®) and this should be provided as a floor substrate in their setups. In water they swim fast and are very graceful. They eventually grow large and they tend to bite. Soft-shell turtles are also quite intelligent and will learn to associate owners with the prospect of being offered food. SCUD (septicemic cutaneous ulcerative Zoo Med’s Care of Water Turtles

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disease) characterized by body sores is common in these turtles if they are not kept under proper conditions, e.g. without a burrowing substrate. SCUD is fatal if not addressed promptly. It requires injectable antibiotics for treatment from a veterinarian that works with reptiles.

Golden Thread Pond Turtle or Chinese Striped-neck Turtle, (Ocadia sinensis): The Golden Thread Pond Turtle is a beautiful little aquatic turtle with distinguishing yellow stripes along its head and neck. Golden Thread Pond turtles have a narrow head, a long tail, and webbed feet. These animals reach a maximum size of only about 9 inches and can be housed in a large aquarium, Turtle Tub™, or a pond as adults.

These are highly aquatic turtles that spend most Golden Thread turtle of their time swimming or basking on branches and rocks just over or near the water. Like all aquatic turtles, they come to land to nest and lay eggs. They are true omnivores and eat a variety of plant matter as well as fish and invertebrates. These hardy turtles are not picky eaters and adapt to commercially prepared turtle foods quickly. Provide a basking site that reaches 90-95° F and keep water temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees. These turtles have been successfully bred in captivity and it is highly recommended to purchase a captive bred animal if possible.

Musk and Mud Turtles (family Kinobternidae): Some of these rank among the smallest water turtles in the world (3-7 inches [8-18 cm] depending on species) and single animals or pairs are ideal for aquarium displays. A pair can be displayed in a 30-inch (76 cm) long tank. They are carnivorous and in addition to pellets should be fed supplemented insects or whole live fish.

They like to bask on logs and are also good climbers so make sure the top is screened.

As a rule these turtles bite readily so extra care must be taken when handling.

Musk turtle

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Red-eared sliders: When young these turtles rank among the most beautiful of the water turtles and consequently they are the most popular pet turtle in the world.

Adults can grow up to eleven inches (28 cm) so they will require tanks at least 48 inches (122 cm) long when adult. Males are smaller than females and can be recognized by their elongated foreclaws and longer tails. This is a very hardy species that will make an outstanding display if one invests in the necessary enclosure and supplies.

Red-Eared Slider

Exotic Species: If you are looking to purchase a turtle, consider buying captive-bred animals when available. Hobbyists now breed several kinds of tropical water turtles and they are also a good source of information on their care. Imported exotic water turtles are best left to more experienced keepers because they are often parasitized and require a certain amount of knowledge to establish and maintain in captivity. Among the hardiest of the imported exotics are African sideneck turtles (Pelomedusa subrufa). Among the more entertaining and responsive are the various side neck and snake neck turtles available through specialized dealers and hobbyists both as imports and captive bred babies.

Most of these will grow large so require very large tanks 48 inches (122 cm) or larger as adults.

Long Neck turtle

SELECTING A POTENTIALLY HEALTHY TURTLE

When buying a water turtle, take the time to select a potentially healthy specimen and carry out the following quick evaluation: 1) The turtle must appear alert and active. If picked up, it should show signs of vigor and activity. Limp, inactive turtles are unhealthy and should be avoided.

2) A healthy turtle also gives the impression of having weight when in hand.

Turtles that are surprisingly light are either emaciated or ill and should be avoided.

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3) The eyes of a healthy turtle will usually open wide and appear clear without swelling of the eyelids. There should be no open sores anywhere on the body. The limbs should appear bilaterally symmetrical.

4) The shell should display no sores or deep pits. The plastron (lower shell) should not have signs of shell rot, noticeable as discolored light or dark patches (do not confuse with normal shell coloration which is blotched in some species) with signs of raised shell sections along the edges of these patches.

5) Selecting a specimen that initially appears healthy is a critical first step to long term success at keeping turtles in captivity and will help prevent the headaches and costs of veterinary treatment.

DETERMINING SEXES

It is nearly impossible to accurately determine the sexes of baby turtles by visual examination and it will usually require one to two years before their sex can be easily recognized. As a general rule, the tails of mature male water turtles will be longer and thicker than females’. Their vent (cloacal opening) will usually be located below the tail at a greater distance from the body when compared to females. Males of many species of water turtles are also smaller than females and for this reason are more desirable as single pets. Some species show other distinctive secondary sexual characteristics.

In red eared sliders, males are smaller, have longer and thicker tails and develop long foreclaws.

Housing: ENCLOSURES

Baby turtles can all be started in a standard ten-gallon all glass aquarium with screen top but as they grow will require larger tanks. A good guide for selecting standard aquarium sizes is that the length of the aquarium should be at least 5 times the length NT-T40 Reptihabitat™ 40 gallon Aquatic Turtle Kit of the turtle. This means that adults of the popular red-eared sliders will require at least a 48-inch (122 cm) long tank, something that must be considered before purchase. Acrylic tanks (because they are more prone to damage from scratching) are generally not recommended for housing turtles. An alternative to tanks for housing turtles are plastic pools such as children’s wading pools, or, in suitable climates, outdoor ponds. If kept outdoors the pool/pond area should be fenced to prevent escape and access by predators.

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Repti Tuff™ Splashproof Lamp

Reptisun® 5.0 UVB Fluorescent Lamp (For proper shell growth plus helps protect against “soft shell” in turtles.)

Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamp Fixture™

Mopani Wood

Zoo Med Turtle Dock™

Submersible heater

Aquatic Thermometer

Turtleclean™ 75 Canister Filter

Water level filled minimum half of total aquarium gallonage

WHY SCREEN TOP ENCLOSURES?

Because most water turtles will require a basking spot, overhead radiant heat sources will be required to generate the desired heat gradient. A screen top will allow you to place both an incandescent light fixture and a fluorescent light fixture on top of the tank without resorting to ceiling lights or other tedious approaches to providing heat and light. The screen top will help prevent fixtures from accidentally falling in the water. It will also keep children and pets from accessing the turtles and will prevent the exit of turtle escape-artists.

WATER TURTLES LIKE WATER DEPTH

A popular misconception is that water turtles such as red-eared sliders should be kept in shallow tubs with just enough water to cover the shell. In fact most water turtles enjoy swimming and should be kept in a water depth at least equal to their shell length. With most tanks, about half the height should contain water. Make sure however that the turtles you are buying are truly aquatic and not shoreline or primarily terrestrial species such as some of the Asian box turtles, Asian wood turtles and South American wood turtles. Providing an aquarium such that you can enjoy turtles swimming will add greatly to the viewing pleasure of owning these graceful creatures.

SUBSTRATES

Many hobbyists, to keep maintenance simple, choose to keep a bare tank floor when keeping water turtles. This allows for easy siphoning of waste matter and facilitates tank cleaning in general. With a few exceptions such as soft-shell turtles, which require a smooth sand for burrowing, most turtles will fare well under these relatively sterile conditions. An alternative used Zoo Med’s Care of Water Turtles

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by aquarists when displaying aquatic species is to place a layer of fine aquarium sand which in time will harbor biologically active bacteria that will help maintain water quality as well as make for a more aesthetic display. Coarse waste matter will rest on the sand surface and can be easily siphoned.

BASKING SITES

Most water turtles bask to raise their body temperature, reduce algal and bacterial scum from building on their shells and to benefit from UV radiation in order to synthesize vitamin D3. Basking sites or land areas where turtles can emerge from the water are a requirement for most water turtles.

Basking sites and access to basking sites can be constructed from Zoo Med’s Turtle Dock™ or large corks slabs which can float TD-30 Zoo Med Turtle Dock™ Unique Floating Aquarium Dock on the water surface or be wedged between two sides of an aquarium. Basking sites can a consist of stacked flat rocks, driftwood, also b woods and the attractive plastic rocks, bog w woods and turtle islands sold in the pet trade.

T prevent abrasion to turtles shells make sure To y do not select sharp edged rocks when you b building basking sites.

TA-40 Zoo Med Floating Turtle Log™

PLANTS P

Live aquarium plants such as sword plants, java ferns, java moss, cyrptocorynes, sagittaria, egeria, vallisneria, amazon swords and hygrophila can be included in gravel or sand substrate setups with baby and small freshwater turtles but as they grow larger, the turtles usually end up eating or damaging aquatic plants. With larger turtles, semiaquatic pond plants such as umbrella plants (Cyperus alternifolius) or taro plants with the stems and leaves growing above water will generally fare better. To provide light, fluorescent bulbs such as Zoo Med NatureSun® should run the length of the tank in planted setups.

FILTERS

Depending on your tank design, canister, power or submersible filters can be used to maintain high water quality and clarity. Although water filtration will not spare you the need for regular water changes, it will reduce the frequency of water changes and will generally help maintain a higher water quality.

Large setups with only a few baby turtles can be kept clean for two or more weeks if the water is filtered. On the other hand, most adult water turtles are so messy that this kind of filtration efficiency is only possible in big aquariums or in ponds with large filtration units. Feeding turtles a pelleted food that can be swallowed whole such as Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle Food can play Zoo Med’s Care of Water Turtles

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TurtleClean™ 75 Cannister Filter (for up to 75 gallons)

TurtleClean™ 50 Cannister Filter (for up to 50 gallons)

TurtleClean™ 30 Cannister Filter (for up to 30 gallons)

TurtleClean™ 15 Cannister Filter (for up to 15 gallons)

a significant role in maintaining water quality and reducing the need for frequent water changes.

DRAINS ARE A GOOD IDEA

One of the most tedious tasks of keeping water turtles is water changes and tank cleaning. The most useful thing you can do to facilitate the process is to keep turtles in a tank raised above floor level with a drain and valve at the bottom that can be connected to a hose. Glass tanks with holes drilled in the bottom can be special ordered and the necessary bulkheads, valves and clear plastic hose purchased from hardware stores. To change water, securely connect the hose, open the valve and drain the water outdoors to water landscape plants.

WATER PUMPS ARE ANOTHER GOOD IDEA

In tanks that don’t have drains, water pumps or sump pumps will prove very useful for easily and quickly draining tanks or pools. They will prove particularly valuable if you have many tanks to drain.

SIPHONING WATER

Most owners will resort to siphoning when draining water from their turtle tanks. To do this use an aquarium siphon that can be started by hand or other siphoning methods that do n not require sucking on Blackk K Bl Knob bS Sawback b k tturtle tl one end of a hose to get a siphon started.

Because water turtles may harbor salmonella and because fouled water can contain a number of potential pathogens, starting a siphon with the mouth should never be performed with water turtles.

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HYGIENE AND SALMONELLOSIS

Turtles are potential carriers of salmonella bacteria including strains that can cause salmonellosis in humans. Salmonellosis is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract that can cause cramps, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. In young children, more serious complications have resulted in meningitis and in rare cases have caused deaths. Other bacteria that can cause disease in humans may also be harbored by turtles. To prevent bacterial infections from pet turtles, all turtle owners should abide by the following: 1) Turtles should not be handled by young children under eight years of age.

2) Always wash hands with an antibacterial soap or with an antiseptic hand sanitizer after handling a water turtle or after performing maintenance chores on a turtle setup.

3) Never soak turtles or perform maintenance chores in sinks or tubs regularly used by members of a household. If you have no other alternative, always wash and rinse the sink or tub with an antibacterial soap or disinfect with a 10% bleach solution after use.

4) Never allow turtles to roam free in a house.

5) Always supervise handling of turtles or maintenance chores by children. Instruct them to never kiss turtles, never put their fingers in their mouths when handling turtles and to always wash hands with an antibacterial soap after handling.

FILLING TANKS

To fill a tank, buckets will be useful for smaller aquariums but a hose connected to a faucet will be the easiest way to fill a tank. When filling a tank remember to pay close attention to prevent water spills or flooding. Many impatient turtle owners decide to go perform chores while a tank is filling up only to return and find that they have a mess to mop up when they return.

WO WO-18 O 18 Wi Wipe Out 1™

HOW OFTEN SHOULD WATER BE REPLACED?

Obviously the water of a turtle tank should be replaced at least whenever it is fouled whether from uneaten food or waste. However, water quality will deteriorate (high ammonia or nitrite levels) even if the water appears clear to the eye. For this reason, it is recommended that the water in turtle tanks be changed at least weekly. When adding new water to your turtle(s) aquarium, always use Zoo Med’s Reptisafe® to remove chlorine or chloramines from your tap water.

WC-8 8 Rept R Reptisafe eptisa isafe®

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Heating & Lighting: Like other reptiles, turtles are ectothermic animals. This means they depend on environmental conditions to achieve desirable body temperatures and that, to varying degrees, they can regulate their body temperature through their behavioral relationships with their environment. The popular ideas, of reptiles being cold-blooded and their body temperature always being the s same as air temperature, are wrong. By baski in sunlight reptiles, including water turtles, in ing c achieve temperatures ten or more degrees can h higher than air temperature. Because no one o other than a reptile knows what for them “feels l the right body temperature,” the standard like p procedure in herpetoculture is to provide a b basking site or a warm zone in the enclosure LF-25 Combo Deep Dome Lamp th allows a reptile to self-regulate its body that Fixture™ temperature.

Freshwater turtles fall under three basic temperature categories: 1) temperate species that live in waters whose temperatures change with the seasons and that bask out of the water to raise body temperature, 2) tropicall species that enjoy moderately warm water year round and that also bask to raise body temperature and, 3) species from cool streams or rivers that may also bask. The best way to know what temperature category fits your turtle is to do a little research Sid eN eckk tu tturtle urtl rtle tle Side Neck on their natural history and ecology. Most U.S. turtles sold in the trade fit category 1. Tropical species such as African, South American and Indonesian side-necks mostly conform to category 2. A small number of species, such as loggerhead musk turtles (Kinosternon minor) from the Southeast United States and big-headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) from Southeast Asia, fit category 3.

With temperate species (category 1) such as most U.S. turtles, European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) and some of the Asian turtles, water temperatures about 75˚ F (24˚ C) will be adequate during the warm months of the year. During the winter, the water temperature can safely drop in the sixties and even upper fifties (15-20˚ C) for most species.

With tropical turtles from warm areas such as many of the Central American and South American species, the water should be kept in the upper 70s (around 26˚ C) during most of the year but allowed to drop into the low to mid-70s (around 23˚ C) in winter for pre-breeding conditioning.

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HOW TO HEAT TURTLE TANKS

For most aquatic turtles sold in the pet trade (category 1), the most widely used method of keeping them consists of having a water area at comfortable room temperature, and at least one basking site where the temperature reaches 85-90˚ F (29˚-32˚ C). The basking site is a land area, easily accessible from the water, that allows a turtle to climb and sit under a heat-generating lamp. Zoo Med’s Clamp Lamps and Deep Dome Lamp Fixture™ are designed to safely hold the heat-generating bulbs required for basking sites. Zoo Med also provides a complete range of radiant heat-generating bulbs including Repti Basking Spot Lamp™s and Zoo Med Ceramic Heat OH 90 R ti T ff™ OH-90 Repti Tuff™ Emitters. The heat output of these bulbs can be precisely Splashproof Halogen Lamp controlled with either Zoo Med ReptiTemp® Rheostats or ReptiTemp® Thermostats.

The best method for controlling the water temperature in turtle tanks is to heat them with a submersible aquarium h heater.

The best o ones are those Repti R ti T Tuff™ ff™ w an adjustwith a thermostat able t can be set at the desired that t temperature.

With large turtles t may easily dislodge such that h heaters and possibly crack them, i is recommended to place the it Turtle Dock™ in action h heater in a low activity area of the aquarium or to securely attach them to the aquarium sides or to landscape structures.

MONITORING THE TEMPERATURE

To assure proper temperatures, hobbyists should have both a water thermometer and an air thermometer near the basking site. Zoo Med has a wide range of thermometers that will allow you to effectively monitor the temperature in your turtle setup.

SPECIALIZED LIGHTING

Water turtles need UVA and UVB lighting in order to thrive.

UVA is part of the rainbow of colors that reptiles can see; without it they are colorblind. UVA is important for the psychological health of your turtle; it stimulates feeding, breeding and other natural behaviors. UVB allows many reptiles including turtles to synthesize vitamin D production necessary for calcium metabolism. Without UVB, reptiles can become sick and develop Metabolic Bone Disease (i.e. prevents “soft shell” Zoo Med’s Care of Water Turtles

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® FS-C5 FS S C5 C R Reptisun ti Compact Fluorescent Lamps

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problems in turtles). Zoo Med’s Reptisun® 5.0 is one of the highest rated UVA and UVB generating bulbs for reptiles and provides both a good quality of lighting and UVA and UVB. PHOTOPERIOD (DAY/NIGHT CYCLE) Turtles need a proper photoperiod to stimulate normal activity patterns. In captivity turtles can be kept under 14 hours of daylight most of the year.

In the late fall/winter they should be exposed to 10 hours of light daily for three to four months. Connecting the various light fixtures to a timer will allow you to easily control day length.

Feeding Water Turtles: Many water turtles such as snapping turtles, soft-shell turtles and musk and mud turtles are primarily carnivorous (meat-eating). Others such as red-eared sliders are primarily carnivorous when young but become omnivorous, eating a significant amount of plant matter when older. Several species of water turtles are primarily plant-eating as adults.

A38-8 Reptivite™ with D3

In captivity the easiest way to offer a balanced diet to most water turtles is to offer a floating pelleted food specifically designed as a dietary staple for water turtles. This basic diet, depending on species, can be supplemented with other foods either as treats or to meet the changing needs of adults. An advantage of pelleted foods is that if the right size is selected, e.g. micro ets as tthey ey y ggrow older,, the ppellets will be pellets for babies and larger ppe pellets swallowed whole, reducing fouling of the water with uneaten food or torn food particles. Because all turtles will not always readily feed on pelleted foods, if pellets are initially refused then offer insects such as crickets supplemented with Reptivite. Any insects fed to turtles should ideally have a length no greater ZM-93 ZM 93 A Aquatic ti ZM-52 ZM 52 A Aquatic i ZM-111 M 111 Aquatic A ti Turtle T tl Turtle Food Turtle Food Food (Maintenance) than the length of the head (Hatchling) (Growth) of the turtle, e.g., 2-3 week old crickets for hatchling red-eared sliders. Another temporary alternative diet which is readily accepted by most turtles is Zoo Med Can O’ Shrimp™ or Zoo Med Turtle Treat™.

Some water turtles such as mata matas (Chelus fimbriatus) are specialized fish eaters and do best if offered live feeder fish or, if they accept them, prekilled whole fish.

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VEGETABLE MATTER

Many freshwater turtles including the popular red-eared slider will eat plant matter as they grow older. High calcium leafy greens such as romaine, mustard and kale are good choices as are grated vegetables such p turtles maintain brighter g as zucchini and carrots. Plant pigments can help colors, mostly yellow, which tends to fade in captivity in many species of water turtles.

TREATS

In addition to a pelleted diet many turtles will appreciate occasional treats for variety. Zoo Med Turtle Treat™, which consists of krill and dried insects, or live crickets or mealworms coated with Zoo Med’s Reptivite™ will be relished. Turtles can also be offered canned foods such as Zoo Med Can O’ Crickets™ or Can O’ Worms™. Always make sure to net out and discard any uneaten food after 5 minutes from the aquarium.

HOW OFTEN?

Offering a turtle a commercial diet, as much as it will eat, three to four times a week will keep it healthy and allow for steady growth. Make sure to not offer any more food than will be eaten at a “sitting” to prevent fouling of the water. If your goal is to grow a turtle quickly, keeping it in the upper range of its preferred temperature range and feeding it as much as it will eat twice a day will result in rapid growth.

Diseases & Disorders: If initially healthy when purchased and if kept and fed properly most water turtles are hardy and long-lived pets that will seldom require visits to a veterinarian.

However, an initial check-up by a qualified veterinarian will help detect and treat any diseases or parasites early and thus set you on the right track at the onset of owning your new pet.

PARASITES

All wild caught turtles will MD MD-11 D Dr. Turtle T l ® MD-30 Repti TB-1 Turtle Bone™ Slow-release usually harbor one or more Turtle Eye Drops Floating calcium calcium block block kinds of parasites. Failure to gain weight or maintain weight, listlessness and loose watery feces are all possible signs of parasite infections. Consulting a qualified reptile veterinarian for a fecal exam and to determine the most effective treatment is recommended if parasites are suspected.

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NUTRITIONAL DISEASES

If fed pelleted diets, supplemented insects, and vitamin/mineral supplemented crickets and mealworms, water turtles will usually not develop nutritional diseases. Most nutritional problems in water turtles result from feeding vitamin deficient foods such as meat strips, fish filet sections or unsupplemented insects. However, with species that normally eat large amounts of plant matter when older, adjustments in the diet must be made to balance the nutritional content of the plant matter offered and to reduce the richness (calories and protein percentage). Diets that are too rich and overfeeding can also be unhealthy and lead to obesity and related diseases.

The most common nutritional disease of baby turtle used to be “soft shell” or metabolic bone disease, characterized by a soft flexible shell and later by inability to feed and eventually death. This once common disease of pet turtles was caused by calcium and vitamin D3 deficiency of improper diets such as chopped or ground meat and the unsupplemented dried flies once sold as turtle food.

Feeding turtles the Zoo Med diets recommended in this booklet will prevent the occurrence of nutritional diseases.

LETHARGY, FAILURE TO FEED AND WEIGHT LOSS

With imported turtles and with captive bred turtles kept in unhygienic conditions, gastrointestinal diseases Painted P Pai inted t d tturtle urtl tle including internal parasites and bacterial infections can cause inactivity, failure to feed and eventually weight loss and death. The only effective way to treat these turtles is to bring a stool sample and consult a qualified reptile veterinarian who will be able to identify the cause of the disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.

FLOAT AND RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Floating at the surface of the water and being unable to swim below as if a bubble of air was trapped in the shell is a sign of pneumonia from a respiratory infection. Other signs can include gaping or forced exhalation and puffy eyes. A common associated cause of respiratory infections is keeping turtles too cold (it depresses their immune system) without a proper basking site. Raising the water temperature to the upper 70s to low 80s (25˚-28˚ C) and providing a proper basking site should be the first step. The second Zoo Med’s Care of Water Turtles

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necessary step is to consult a qualified reptile veterinarian who will likely prescribe and administer an antibiotic.

SHELL PROBLEMS

If kept properly and fed the right diet water turtles will usually not have shell problems other than algae growth. The latter can be prevented by keeping the water clean, and by offering a basking site as well as a shaded area in the enclosure. Do not attempt to scrub algae off the shell unless it can be removed with a soft cloth because this can abrade the shell. The safest way to have algae disappear from a shell is to keep the water clean and turn off all lighting except for the spot light over the basking site for a few weeks.

With baby turtles the most common shell problems are soft-shells or deformed shells from metabolic bone disease because of a diet with inadequate amounts of calcium or vitamin D3. Feeding a high quality diet formulated for water turtles and using Zoo Med’s ReptiSun® 5.0 UVB Lamp will prevent this.

Other shell problems encountered in water turtles include shell rot which is caused by bacterial infections and which if untreated can lead to more severe problems. Shell rot is first noticed by spreading discolored patches on the plastron (lower shell) often with raised edges of shell or pitting of the shell. Treatment consists of exposing affected Pinkk B Pi Belly elllly Sid Side Side N Neck eckk tur turtle tle l areas, topical application of disinfectants or antibiotics and possibly injectable antibiotics. Consult books or a qualified veterinarian for treatment.

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Aquatic Turtle Setup Shopping List: Aquarium: Minimum 20 gallons glass tank per 4" (10 cm) turtle. (i.e. 40 gallons for 2 x 4" [10 cm] turtles or 1 x 8" [20 cm] turtle).

Hood/Top: Full Screen Top or Slider Hood by Zoo Med. Light Fixture: Porcelain Clamp Lamp or Slider Hood.

Heat: Zoo Med’s TURTLETHERM™ Automatic Turtle Heater or Repti Tuff™ Splashproof Halogen Lamp.

UVB: Zoo Med’s ReptiSun® 5.0 UVB Compact or fluorescent lamp (Prevents soft shell in turtles).

Filter: Zoo Med's TurtleClean™ 75, 50, 30, or 15 Turtle Canister Filters or 318 TurtleClean™ Submersible Filter.

Water Conditioner: Zoo Med’s Reptisafe®.

Calcium: Zoo Med’s Dr. Turtle®, Turtle Bone™ or Aquatic Turtle Banquet® Block.

Thermometer: Zoo Med's Digital Aquatic Turtle Thermometer.

Food: Zoo Med’s Natural Aquatic Turtle Foods.

High Protein Treat: Zoo Med’s Turtle Treat™ and/or Zoo Med’s Can O’ insect line of foods.

Substrate: Zoo Med’s Reptisand® (for soft shell turtles only).

DON'T USE SUBSTRATE FOR HARD SHELLED AQUATIC TURTLES!

Hand Cleaner: Use after handling your turtle.

Red Cheek Mud turtle

Zoo Med’s Care of Water Turtles

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©Zoo Med Laboratories Inc., 2017

Zoo Med Water Turtle Products

OH-90 Repti Tuff™ Splashproof Halogen Lamp

NT-T40 Reptihabitat™ 40 gallon Aquatic Turtle Kit

NT-T21 Reptihabitat™ 20 gallon Aquatic Turtle Kitt

ZM-93 Aquatic Turtle Hatchling Formula

ZM-59 Turtle Treats™

ZM-52 Aquatic Turtle Growth Formula

ZM-33 Reptisticks™

LF-25 Combo Deep Dome Dual Lamp Fixture™

FS-C5 ReptiSun® UVB Compact Fluorescent

LF-17 Deep Dome Lamp Fixture™

ZM-111 Aquatic Turtle ZM-98 Gourmet ZM-162 Large SunMaintenance Formula Aquatic Turtle Dried Red Shrimp Food Food

BB-52 Aquatic Turtle Banquet® Block

Zoo Med’s Care of Water Turtles

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TA-41 Floating Turtle Feeder™

©Zoo Med Laboratories Inc., 2017

More Zoo Med Water Turtle Products

TA-40 Floating Turtle Log™

TurtleClean™ 75 Cannister Filter (for up to 75 gallons)

C-8 8 Rept R eptis isafe® WC-8 Reptisafe Water Conditioner

TD-30 Floating Turtle Dock™

TurtleClean™ 50 Cannister Filter (for up to 50 gallons)

WO-18 Wipe Out 1™

A38-8 Reptivite™ with D3

TH-100 Turtletherm™

TurtleClean™ 30 Cannister Filter (for up to 30 gallons)

TurtleClean™ 15 Cannister Filter (for up to 15 gallons)

A34-8 Repti TB-1 Turtle MD-11 Dr. Turtle® Calcium® Bone™ Slow-release with D3 Floating Calcium calcium block

Item# ZB-20

Printed In China

TH-26 Digital T A Aquatic Turtle T Thermometer MW-L Mopani Wood Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc. | 3650 Sacramento Dr. | San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Phone: (805) 542-9988 | Email: zoomed@zoomed.com

www.zoomed.com